Monthly Archive for October, 2009

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I’m glad I didn’t have to dig 1,000 holes for those posts.

Published on Monday, October 19, 2009 in Blog Business and Milestones. 7 Comments Tags: 1000th post.

This post is a milestone of sorts.

Today’s post marks 1,000 posts here at The Casual Perfectionist. If blog posts were fence posts, how long would a 1,000 post fence be? I don’t even know. Thank goodness I only had to write each one and not dig a big hole…or a thousand…in the ground.

1,000 posts?
Really?

Really!

Now, don’t get me wrong…I’m not a quantity over quality kinda of person. Still, I think it’s important to celebrate the 1,000th post!

Lots has happened over the last 1,000 posts, and I love reading back through the Archives. This was one of the reasons I started writing here…to chronicle our adventures in parenting and beyond. I love reading about our adventures. Every time I look back, I see something I thought I’d never forget, yet, I have. I’m so glad to have captured these memories. All it takes is a nudge for the memories to come flooding back.

I love that.

So, poke around in the Archives if you get a chance.

In the meantime, here’s to a thousand posts…and many more!

Weird animal head hat or not, the First Ballet Recital was a success!

Published on Friday, October 16, 2009 in Ballet, Claire, Milestones, Photos and Random Thoughts. 3 Comments Tags: Ballet, Ballet Recitals, Not unlike the herding of cats.

Claire had her first Ballet Recital last night!

Over all, it went well. It went exactly as I anticipated a Ballet Recital of this magnitude to go. This wasn’t a professional dance studio, and our main goal was to have fun while learning the basics. She had such a great time that I’ve already signed her up for the next session, too.

The only issue she had with the class was that it was full of 3-yr olds…by design. There was no way around that. Claire wanted to focus and literally learned all the steps in one class. She actually took this seriously, which isn’t what most 3-yr olds do. She was surrounded by little girls who would rather run around and act all crazy. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

To be honest, if I could justify the expense, I really think Claire would benefit from a true dance studio. (Edited to add: We DID enroll her in a true dance studio!)

Just in case you think she’s uptight and stuffy…that’s not the case! Here is the face she said she was going to use on stage:

She didn't, but I kinda wished she would have!

Anyway…the Ballet Recital was a hit! But, in the essence of full disclosure, the casual side of my personality had to work double-time to compensate for the perfectionist side. I think I kept the twitching to a minimum.

I know the girls in her class are only 3-yrs old, and you’re going to get what you get.

But if you’ve been practicing the routine by giving them verbal cues, and the music is too loud for them to hear you, what do you think is going to happen?

And, if you also practice the routine by giving also them visual cues, but you’re standing where they can’t really see you, what do you think is going to happen?

And, if you have them perform in a place that looks totally different than where they’ve practiced for eight weeks, and you don’t even give them a chance to practice one time there, what do you think is going to happen?

And, if you’ve specifically given Momma instructions on how to do her little ballerina’s hair just so, and then Momma spends the better portion of the hour before her little ballerina goes on stage telling her not to touch her hair, and then you try to force a weird looking animal head hat on said ballerina’s head, what do you think is going to happen? (Please note: Momma was not told there was going to be a weird looking animal head hat involved! In fact, the teacher had said she probably wouldn’t use props because they’re too distracting!)

I’ll give you three guesses as to the only ballerina who absolutely refused to wear the weird hat…and the first two guesses don’t count.

Go, Claire!

Oh, wait. I’m supposed to be upset by that? I’m not!

She told me later that she told them, “That hat will mess up my hair, and that is unacceptable.” (Yes, that’s a direct quote.) I thought it was hilarious and exactly what they deserved. Errr, I mean, she’s three! Whatterya gonna do? Either way, I’m not going to complain about it, because I don’t have time to be on that committee, too.

But, I digress.

In the end, the casual part won, and we’re counting the Ballet Recital as a complete success. We can’t wait for the next one!

Blog Action Day: Climate Change

Published on Thursday, October 15, 2009 in Blog Action Day and Blog Business. 5 Comments Tags: #BAD09, Blog Action Day 09.

Today is Blog Action Day! Every year, thousands of bloggers all over the world gather together virtually and discuss a topic.

Back in 2007, when I was just a newbie blogger, I joined the movement and the conversation regarding The Environment.

In 2008, we all rallied around the next topic, Poverty.

This year, the topic is Climate Change, and here I am once again. (You can follow conversations on Twitter by looking for the #BAD09)

Climate Change is one of those hot topics (punny!) that polarizes (hooo, I’m on a roll!) people, when it really shouldn’t. On the surface, climate change is climate change. You don’t have to be a scientific researcher to see that changes are taking place. The polar ice caps are melting. Wacky stuff is happening with the weather, and it’s all connected. (No, I’m not going to site sources, because a quick search on Google will give you an overwhelming amount of data.)

To be honest, I don’t know if humans caused this problem. I don’t know if this is where the Earth was headed in its climate cycle anyway. I think it’s a little of both…but at the end of the day, does it really matter?

Let’s agree to set aside the blame and look at what can be done about it.

Do I think that by recycling as much as we possibly can to keep trash out of our landfills will solve Climate Change? No, but I do it anyway, because recycling is a good idea and makes sense on so many levels. Even if it isn’t a solution, it’s a step in the right direction.

Do I think making our house as energy efficient as possible is going to solve Climate Change? No, but I do it anyway, because it saves us money and makes sense on so many levels. Even if it isn’t a solution, it’s a step in the right direction.

Do I think supporting research, funding, and implementation of renewable energy is going to solve Climate Change? No, but the thought of doing something better for the environment while reducing our dependence on foreign countries is not only practical and smart, it makes sense on so many levels. Even if it isn’t a solution, it’s a step in the right direction.

Do I think these things and more will solve Climate Change? I don’t think you can solve a complex problem with a single answer. Even if they aren’t a solution, they’re a step in the right direction.

And, I’ve always been a fan of going in the right direction.

Wait. It has been there how long?

Published on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 in Featured Elsewhere and Mile High Mamas. Closed Tags: powers of observation, three is a magic number.

Have you ever stumbled upon something so incredibly cool and seemingly new and wondered how it appeared there without you knowing…only to find out it’s been there the whole time?

I’m writing about that today at Mile High Mamas.

Go check it out!

The Power of the Sundial

The comments are closed here, but I’d love to hear from you over there!

The preschooler is starting to know too much.

Published on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 in Claire, Conversations, Milestones and Random Thoughts. 4 Comments Tags: Language.

Daddy, Momma and Claire are at a local big-box store buying the newest car seat (booster) for Claire. While there, we notice that they have children’s clothing on sale. The sale applies to two items purchased. After this latest growth spurt, and turn in the weather, Claire is due for some new clothes.

Claire is immediately drawn to a shirt, so we put it in the cart. While trying to find our second item of clothing to apply for the sale, we’re flipping through the accompanying pants. Claire finds one she loves. Oddly enough, it doesn’t really match the shirt. (Why are they even on this rack? Who knows…)

Far be it from me to run a fashion show every day, but still…we wanted to steer her toward the matching pants.

“Oh, Claire. I don’t see your size,” Daddy says with a quick wink to me. “You need a 3T, and I just don’t see that on the rack. Here! Let’s see if they have your size in this other style,” he says, pointing her in the direction of the other matching pants.

“I don’t like those, Daddy,” Claire says as she’s looking through the ones she does like. She’s flipping through them like a pro. Click, click, click. “But, look! Look, Daddy! They do have my size!” she screeches.

She runs over to us with a pair of pants in her hands.

“See! They’re a THREE TEE! See? That’s a THREE. That’s a TEE. THREE TEE.”

Yes, she’s found a 3T on the rack. All by herself. So, into the cart it went.

Our forms of trickery will need to evolve or fall by the wayside. The preschooler is starting to know too much.

As Seen on TV: The Video!

Published on Monday, October 12, 2009 in Featured Elsewhere, Fun, Product Reviews and Video. 9 Comments Tags: I'm gonna be on TV.

As you may remember, I was on live TV on October 3rd. I promised to post the link for those of you who missed it. I waited and waited for the video link to my segment to show up on the TV channel’s website, but alas, it never did.

Waiting wasn’t very hard, because you know how patient I am! [Cue the maniacal laughter here...] *cough*

After an excruciating week of waiting, we decided to take matters into our own hands. So…we’ve done it ourselves! Without further ado, here is my Live TV Debut in Denver!

Finally, you get to see the video! There were no wardrobe malfunctions! I didn’t burst into flames or hysterical laughter! And, Ana Cabrera pronounced my name correctly! Yay!

I think it went pretty well, considering we didn’t do a run-through of any kind, and I didn’t get any direction. A large portion of my life has been spent doing sales presentations, so I just went into that mode.

Somehow I remembered to smile, breathe, and not play with my hair too much. (Had I known exactly where the camera was going to be, I would have stood on the other side of Ana. My hairstyle would have been a little more cooperative that way, but that’s okay.) I didn’t have to worry about my posture, because the little mic-pack they had me strap on was poking me in the back! (Getting ready for Live TV could be a blog-post in and of itself!)

Over all, it was a blast! I had so much fun doing it. It was over in a blur, and I’m so glad I had the chance to experience it.

Skeletons

Published on Friday, October 9, 2009 in Parenting 101 and Random Thoughts. 4 Comments Tags: Now I've done it, unringing the bell.

The look of shocked terror and incredulity was totally unexpected, but there it was on Claire’s face. She had just nonchalantly asked me if I’d ever seen a real skeleton, and I’d just nonchalantly told her I had.

I hadn’t thought about my answer, because it was true and seemingly innocent. I tell her true things bluntly all the time.

What I hadn’t anticipated was what she saw in her mind when she thought of skeletons.

I pictured the skeleton we had hanging in our Biology room in High School. I pictured the skeletons I’d seen in museums. I pictured the skeleton used for scientific study in college.

Have I seen real skeletons? Yes. Yes, I have.

She, on the other hand, pictured skeletal creatures that walk and talk and scare people.

No, I haven’t seen one of those skeletons, because they don’t really exist outside of the movie clips she saw with Daddy on their last visit to Best Buy.

But, if Momma says she’s seen one, they’re real.

And there’s nothing you can say to change that.

Fun Fall Activities & Events in the Mile High City!

Published on Thursday, October 8, 2009 in Featured Elsewhere and Mile High Mamas. Closed

I absolutely love fall. It’s my favorite season!
Now that fall is here, what is some fun stuff to do??
Go check out Mile High Mamas’ List of Fun Fall Activities & Events to do in Denver!

Remembering to bring your smile

Published on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 in Claire and Conversations. 2 Comments Tags: picture day.

Yesterday was Claire’s very first “School Picture Day” session. She had her photo taken in her preschool class by a professional photographer, and I wasn’t there. I couldn’t obsess over whether or not her hair was straight or her dress was just right.

Surprisingly, I’m okay with all this. In fact, I was glad to let someone else handle the chaos. I’m getting the hang of this whole Baby Steps thing.

When I picked her up yesterday, I asked how it went.

“I’m SO GLAD I remembered to bring my smile, Momma! I’m SO GLAD I remembered it…because it was picture day, and I needed it!”

Yes, I can name all seven by memory

Published on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 in Product Reviews. 2 Comments Tags: Product Review.

Jealousy-induced rage, attempted murder, breaking and entering (okay, maybe it was just trespassing), poisoning…the newest episode of Law & Order? No…it’s the newest release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

I have a confession to make. Previous to receiving** this DVD, Claire had never seen Snow White in action. I’d read her the abbreviated story books, and she’d watched a clip or two on YouTube, but that’s it. When asked if I’d like to do this review, I jumped at the chance. I couldn’t wait to see what Claire thought of it!

And, just like with the other princess movies that have graced our home, Claire is smitten. She, of course, has some really good questions that I’m not sure how to answer. Maybe you can help?

Using only the movie as your basis…

Where is Snow White’s mom?

My first thought: She’s probably dead. This is, after all, a Disney movie.

What I told her: I don’t know. We didn’t see her in the movie, did we. Where do you think she is?

Who was the skeleton in the evil queen’s room?

My first thought: There was a skeleton in the evil queen’s room?

What I told her (after I remember what she was talking about): I think whoever made the movie was trying to put scary things in that room. Skeletons and spiders are scary, right?

Additional questioning involved the fact that Claire didn’t believe me, and that the skeleton had to belong to somebody, so then we talked about other people the evil queen probably killed. *sigh*

I’m always amazed at what catches her eye…

The cool part about this edition is that it’s been released in both DVD and Blu-Ray format. The one we watched was the DVD version, because we don’t have a Blu-Ray player (yet…I say “yet,” because I know Daddy has had his eye on one…). In case you’re curious, here are some stats about Blu-Ray:

Up to 6x better quality than DVD

7.1 Surround Sound

Immersive activity with games and special features

Kid proof-more scratch resistant

Plays both Blu-ray and DVD discs

Blu-ray also plays on Sony Playstation 3 players

And, here are some links about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs:

Snow White Diamond Edition Website
Snow White Blu-ray Edition Trailer
Disney Timeless Memories – Blu Ray High Definition DVDs and Movie TV Spot:

And, yes, I can still name all seven dwarfs by memory:

Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Grumpy, Happy, Dopey, Doc…but I have to do them in that order.

**The Casual Perfectionist was asked to review the Diamond Edition of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. We received a free copy of the DVD set, in exchange for an honest review. This was provided by the One2One Network. If you have a product you’d like us to review, please feel free to contact us.